Why is Semenov called “little Paris”?
Semenov The Nizhny Novgorod region — a provincial town with a population of 25. It is known primarily as a center of golden Khokhloma, traditional matryoshka dolls, and spoon-making. Originated In the early 17th century, it was founded as an Old Believer settlement. Despite its obvious "Russianness," it's called "Little Paris," and here's why.
According to legendAfter Patriarch Nikon's church reforms, five elders appeared near Semyonov. They were forced to flee the new world order into the remote forests, far from civilization. In the 1730s, a large hermitage was founded near their cells, and by the 18th century, there were nearly a hundred Old Believer settlements. The lands were not owned by a single landowner and were cut off from civilization, making them convenient for fugitives. However, there was also a disadvantage: the surrounding land was loamy and infertile, but there was plenty of timber. Thanks to timber, folk crafts such as spoon-making and matryoshka dolls emerged. Semyonov became the center of artistic woodworking. A specialty of Semyonov at that time was Khokhloma painting on wooden utensils. Wooden spoons, matryoshka dolls, trays, tueski (wooden baskets), and toys were brought here from the surrounding hermitages. After painting, all goods were sent to the Nizhny Novgorod fair.
Back in 1717, a church was built in this large settlement, and the village of Semenovskoye became a village, and in 1779 the Empress Екатерина Вторая granted Semenov was granted city status. She also ordered its development in a specific manner: from a bird's-eye view, Semenov was to appear as a vast square consisting of 16 blocks, reminiscent of the French capital. The city was developed precisely this way and earned a second nickname—"Little Paris."
Nowadays Semyonov is still the same golden Khokhloma at the eponymous museum and tourist center and at the "Khokhloma Painting" factory, the amazing spoons and nesting dolls at the "Semyon Lozhkar House," the preservation of Old Believer traditions, and the same low-rise architecture with clean, wide streets. And not a single high-rise! So, Nizhny Novgorod's "Little Paris" has retained much more of its original character than the real thing.
